Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1887-12-08
jim POULDER's MISTAKE.

Ihe OF tho i0it"y
r,nen. There was q breeze stirring;
and though q cloud OF dust was
blown ia. it was also blown OUT, Win
the exception OF a tired portion wnlcf
atonned to rest on the clothes OF the
passengers. or burrowed for It's "
SAFETY in their ears and nostrlis.
There were only two vacant seats IN
the car, and at Pankehap station
two persous came to fill them. one
Of them was an old man-on O second
look, be was probably not e oog,
with iron gray hair, partly coSered
by a slouched hat. and clad IN a new
SUIT of grey stuff that seemed to nave
been made for some one else. WITH
him was a young and very pretty girl,
whose dress was of ordinary stun.
hut we'll fitting, and who was gloved
and well shod.
The observer would set down the
two for a well-to-do farmer ana ms
daughter, who were travelling Tor ousi.
ness or pleasure. The man looked
around. Two vacant seats were on
opposite sides OF the car. In one OF
them sat a young, well.dressed ana
apparently self satisfied gentleman,
and the space by his side was occu-
pied by ahandbago of crocodile leather
and a spring o%vercoat. In the other
was another young man, not quite so
extravagantly dressed, though neatly
clad. and not as handsome as the
first. though he had an openand intelli-
rent co~untenance. The farmer look
ed around. and motioning his daugh-
ter to the vacant seat, said: 'fheres
a place for you, Lucy" Then turn
ing to the young man with the satch.
ell. he asked: "Seat engagedY"
The Young man looked up, curled
his lin superciliously, and said: THE
ma to fill it'll be here presently, |
dare saw"
..Ah!'' said the farmer, cooliy re-
moving the gripsack and oyercoat, and
placing them on the young mans lap;
s'then I'll occnpy it until he comes.
And he seated himself accordingly,
while the young man glared at him.
The one on the other side looked
amused; and then, rising. said: you
had better exchange seats with me.
sir, and then the young lady and
yourself will be together"
"Thank YOU" was the farmers re-
ply; and the change was quietly effect
The two young men were evidently
acquainted; and the courteous n
said 20 the other, IN a low vote:
Jim Poulder, you made a mistake
there
al never make mistakes. Frank Boil
ling" replied the other; Il dare say
.~,,fI1 r.a1a r,&f. fAHfnnn GnF1A nj
these days by being polite to the
granger population; but my fortune
is already made"
The first speaker said nothing more,
but drawing a newspaper from his
pocket, opened it and ran his eyes
over its columns.
Poulder yawned a little, and at1ast
said: "This is too dull for yours faith
fully, james Poulder. I'll go into the
smoking car and take a Whit. Have
a snifter?" he inquired, producing a
pocket-hask.
mo, thank you," replied Boiling.
'"That stuffis rather too fiery for me-
"Here goes alone then. That's as
fine brandy as ever crossed the ocean.
Daydayl Keep an eye to my traps,
will you? and don't give up my seat
to every country yokel who asks il.
The elegant young gentleman shook
himself, and made his way forward to
the a especially provided Tor fumi-
CATION.
When he had gone, the old man
leaned over the arm OF his seat and
addressed Boiling.
Excuse me, sir. but didn't your
friend who has Just left say that his
name was James Poulder?"
THAT'S his name. sir" replied the
young man, ''but he is not exactly a
friend of mine, though we live in the
same place, and | know him we,l."
MAY / inquire where he is from?"
"Yes, sir, Careysburg."
"Son of Peter B. Pouider, the great
pork-packer there, isn't he?"
eyes, SIR"
"His father should deal with him.
1t would be quite in his line
"0h, papal" said a sweet, reproach-
full voice, as those nea who heard the
colloquy Uttered.
at is q fact, Lucy" rejoined the
farmer.
The old man, who was evidently in
telligent, entered into a general CONVEX
sation with the younger, and soon
showed that he was quite well inform
ed. Boiling vas glad of a conference
SO entertaining, especially as, wien
his eyes were bent in that direction,
he saw that the young lady was amin
terested, and he hoped, a pleased list
ener. Th,re was something very
sweet in the expression of her eounte-
nance-an unmistakabie impress mod
esty and innocence on her features.
They ehatted away. and the elder, so
dexterously that the younger never
perceived 1t, drew out OF the other his
position, prospects and intentions.
Boiling was frank by nature, and the
questions of his interlocutor, who was
as singenious as the other was in
genuous, were craftily put. The sharp
granger soon learned that Frank Boil
ng had been engaged for sometime IT,
the study of the law, but that his
father, having met with reverses, and
having two younger daughters to eiu.
cate, the young man determined to
make his burden less and had set out
to support himself, abandoning his
law studies aad taking a situation
as salesman at a country store in
Griffton, a thriving town about five
miles IRON the main line.
II get but beggarly pay, OF course"
said Frank, gayly. II am only a raw
hand; but | have the promise that
when ! am better qualified, my wages
will be increased"
You are rather a singular person."
said the farmer, blufhy. Most young
men would have talked of their sal
ary."
% rather prefer the old style OF
English" said Boiling. "I am to be a
hireling; and the compensation OF a
hireling is called wages. But wages or
salary-the terms IRE indifferent to
me-"
my place is within a mile OF Grif-
ton" said the old man. 81 have a
notion that / knew your father once.
Wasn't he at Harvard, in his tinne!"
Eyes, sir, and so was /. We are
alumni of the same school,"
II wonder if he remembers his old
chum there-one George Carter
George st. Leger Carter, as they have
it on their rolls?"
Eyes, sir, I've heard him speak of
him often. though the two have drift
ed apart since then. Judge Carter.
you mean. He lives at Griffton. Do
you know hIm?"
I'm! ye-es! After a fashion,"
"Papal" whispered the young girl:
but young Bolling,s quick ear caught
her words: II know the Judge better
than you do"
BE quiet, Puss, will your replied
her father in tba sauoa tooa